CBS Drops Two and Adds Gonzalez to ‘NFL Today’

CBS Sports changed the cast of its “NFL Today” pregame show on Tuesday by hiring Tony Gonzalez to the panel and parting with Shannon Sharpe and Dan Marino.

“I know Tony and I’ve been around Tony for a number of years and have been very impressed by the way he expresses himself and deals with people,” said Sean McManus, the chairman of CBS Sports. “He’s interested in being a broadcaster and knows that it takes a lot of work.”

McManus said Sharpe and Marino were “doing a terrific job,” but added, “Sometimes in life, you need to be aggressive.” He said that he had been speaking with Gonzalez, who recently retired from the Atlanta Falcons, for a long time about joining CBS when he finished his playing career.

Gonzalez will also work on “Inside the NFL,” a show that CBS produces with Showtime, and “That Other Pregame Show,” a Sunday morning program on the CBS Sports Network. He could have an additional role on CBS’s newly acquired package of Thursday night games.

James Brown, Bill Cowher and Boomer Esiason will remain on “NFL Today.” McManus said that he expected to add a second new cast member as early as next week.

Marino joined “NFL Today” in 2002, and Sharpe was added two years later.